N2 publishes magazines for local neighborhoods throughout the Portland area, and has chosen to promote ReFIT as their featured non-profit organization in the January 2018 issues of their Eastmoreland Living, Laurelhurst Living, and Irvington Living magazines.

We are so grateful for their belief in our mission, and for their generosity in helping to promote and spread the word about ReFIT. If you’re looking to help the cause, apply to become a volunteer contractor or make a one-time or reoccurring donation for the less fortunate homeowners in the Portland area today!

You’ll find our magazine feature and a transcript of the article below.

Article Transcript

“ReFIT, Remodeling for Independence Together, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income people struggling with disability from illness, injury, or aging to live independent lives at home safely and with dignity. Keeping this large segment of Oregon’s population living their own homes is ReFIT’s mission.

For someone suffering from mobility issues, there is always a fear of no longer being able to live at home. ReFIT offers hope by providing no-cost essential home modifications, such as access ramps, ADA-accessible bathrooms, grab bars, wider doorways, etc., to low-income, disabled homeowners who lack the financial resources to continue to live safe independent lives in their own home. Without ReFIT, many of these people would have to move to nursing homes or other institutional settings.

ReFIT was founded in 1997 by a group of local, professional general contractors after the college-age son of a colleague was paralyzed from a car accident. The group worked together to modify the family home to accommodate the son’s wheelchair, then modified the son’s fraternity so he could return to college and move on with his life. The father wanted to pay it forward and make a difference in the community, so he helped start ReFIT to enable others with mobility challenges to be able to stay in their homes.

Client projects are built by volunteer professional contractors (primarily from the local Pacific Northwest chapter of NARI – National Association of the Remodeling Industry) with the help of volunteer teams. Building materials are either donated outright or purchased with donated funds. Since its inception, ReFIT volunteers and donors have helped individuals and families throughout Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties.

ReFIT needs many hands to continue its mission to transform homes to meet life’s challenges. Whether you can offer time, money, or expertise, you are needed to help ReFIT continue to support the low-income, disabled in our community. If you can offer help, want to donate, or just want more information, contact ReFIT today.”

Because of you and the wheelchair ramp, my husband could remain active and part of the family during his last few years with bone cancer.’ ‘Thank you so much – you’re an answer to prayers.’ ‘Thank you very much. You guys orchestrated a very nice thing that gives my wife back her independence.’ ‘Just being able to feel like an 18-year old kid. I don’t think my parents and I can give [ReFIT] enough thanks.’